On Wednesday evening, former New York Islanders player Zach Parise, ex-Islanders assistant coach Scott Gomez, and Long Island native Bruce Bennett, widely regarded as the greatest hockey photographer ever, were honored with induction into the 2025 class of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. The other inductees included Joe Pavelski and Tara Mounsey.
Parise, who had a 19-year NHL career including two seasons with the Islanders, is ranked ninth all-time among American players for goals scored, with a total of 434. He notably netted the tying goal in the 2010 Olympic gold medal game against Canada, just before Sidney Crosby’s memorable game-winner.
Gomez, who served as an assistant coach for the Islanders from 2017 to 2019, became the first Alaskan to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He played 1,079 NHL games and won the Stanley Cup twice (in 2000 and 2003) with the New Jersey Devils.
Bennett, born in Levittown, started photographing the New York Rangers in the 1973-74 season at age 18. Over his career, he captured images of 45 Stanley Cup championships and became the first photographer ever inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to all the inductees for their outstanding contributions to hockey.
Fan Take: This recognition highlights the incredible impact these individuals have had both on and off the ice, reminding fans how diverse talents contribute to the sport’s rich history. Celebrating players, coaches, and even photographers shows how hockey is truly a community effort, inspiring future generations to get involved in all aspects of the game.
